Waubay has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 80°, a January night drops to 1°, and about 36 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Waubay at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Waubay’s climate
Read from where Waubay sits among South Dakota’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
About 164 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 1 and the first by October 12.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
What a year in Waubay feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Living with Waubay’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
164 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 1 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 12.
About 36" a winter over 12 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 102 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through May. Heating is 93% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 5 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 80°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 0.6 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →36 inches of snow, 24 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 81 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Waubay and its neighbors
Central Point has the coldest January nights next door (1°) and Central Point the hottest July afternoons (81°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Waubay averaged 1.0° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+2.6°).
A smaller shift than in 68% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Waubay compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in South Dakota.
Waubay weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20° | 1° | 0.7" | 6.6" | 6 | 28 | -3° – 23° |
| February | 24° | 5° | 0.7" | 6.0" | 4 | 24 | 1° – 26° |
| March | 37° | 18° | 1.0" | 5.5" | 5 | 17 | 18° – 42° |
| April | 52° | 30° | 2.0" | 5.0" | 6 | 4 | 31° – 50° |
| May | 66° | 43° | 3.1" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 50° – 62° |
| June | 75° | 55° | 3.8" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 60° – 69° |
| July | 80° | 59° | 3.8" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 61° – 76° |
| August | 79° | 57° | 2.5" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 62° – 71° |
| September | 71° | 48° | 2.5" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 53° – 65° |
| October | 55° | 34° | 2.3" | 1.2" | 7 | 0 | 36° – 49° |
| November | 38° | 20° | 0.7" | 5.0" | 5 | 7 | 16° – 40° |
| December | 24° | 8° | 0.7" | 6.3" | 6 | 22 | 2° – 24° |
| Year | 52° | 32° | 23.7" | 35.6" | 81 | 102 |
Heating and cooling a home in Waubay
93% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. January swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from -3° to 23°. August is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Waubay’s climate
What is the coldest month in Waubay?
January, with a typical high of 20° and a low of 1°.
What is the hottest month in Waubay?
July, with a typical high of 80° and a low of 59°. About 5 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Waubay get?
About 36 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Waubay?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 12, and the last spring frost by May 1.
What is the rainiest month in Waubay?
June, with 3.8 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 24 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Waubay.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Waubay itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Waubay Natl Wild Life, SD (3 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.